TIL my neighbor's screw comment changed how I start projects

Rowan Henderson · 2026-02-26T08:50:47.164922+00:00

I was fitting dovetails on a walnut cabinet in my shop. My neighbor saw it and joked about just using screws for speed. I told him how traditional joints last longer and look better. It dawned on me that clients might think the same way. Now I begin by asking what they know about cabinet construction. This simple step avoids wrong assumptions later. Our planning sessions are clearer and faster because of it.

robinson.quinn6mo ago

What if clients care more about speed, does asking first avoid letdowns, @sandra_black?

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andrew616mo ago

Ask first, avoid assumptions later.

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sandra_black6mo ago

Ever get that with tech stuff? I tried to walk my parents through setting up their new router over the phone. We were totally talking past each other for 20 mins because I assumed they knew what a browser was. Had to back up and ask what they saw on the screen, simple as that. Those glazed over looks happen when you skip the basic check in.

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